Airbus is strengthening its presence in the UK with the launch of a Zero Emission Development Centre (ZEDC) for hydrogen technologies. A priority for the UK ZEDC will be developing a cost-competitive cryogenic fuel system required for the successful entry-into-service of Airbus’ ZEROe passenger aircraft by 2035 and accelerating UK skills and know-how on hydrogen-propulsion technologies.

The UK ZEDC will benefit from the recent commitment by the UK Government to guarantee £685 million of funding to the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) over the next three years to support the development of zero-carbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technologies. Technology development at the new UK ZEDC, to be based in Filton, Bristol, has already started and will cover the full product and industrial capabilities from components up to the whole system and cryogenic testing. End-to-end fuel systems development, a specialty of Airbus in the UK, is one of the most complex technologies crucial to the performance of a future hydrogen aircraft.